Jackie Jones
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
Jackie Jones is the Senior Vice President, Artist and Industry Relations for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and serves as the organization’s chief representative in Nashville.
Jones helps elevate creators across genres while also translating copyright reform, trade negotiations, and creative policymaking for the industry. She brings together artists, songwriters, managers, labels, venues, advocacy groups, tech companies and distribution services to work towards common goals through events, conversations and educational opportunities.
Jones will be honored as part of the current class of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row on March 23. For more details about the class and the event, click here.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up? How did you get into the music business?
I grew up in Memphis, so I have always been surrounded by so many kinds of music. I was also super interested in television growing up so it would make sense that my dream was to produce [the VH1 show] Behind The Music. In college I studied TV and film, but I kept coming back to the music side of entertainment. Once I transferred to MTSU, an internship at CMT turned into a full-time position and I worked as a producer and writer before I joined the talent team, where I produced and booked talent for both music programming and live events.
Pictured (L-R): Jason Derulo, Jackie Jones, Luke Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
What were your favorite things you got to do at CMT when you were a writer/producer?
I got to work with a team of producers to create original content for online programming, which was so special because no one at CMT had done that before. We were able to try a lot of new ideas while creating everything from scratch, including producing the first online awards show—hosted by Taylor Swift with Lady A as the house band. It was a blast!
What did you do once you joined the talent team?
I had never been a part of live productions and helping to create musical moments on TV until CMT Music Awards and Artists of the Year, but once I started working in that realm, there was no turning back. The rush and thrill of creating a live television show is still one of my favorite things in the world.
You joined RIAA in 2019. How did that happen?
I had never really thought about this advocacy side of entertainment, but the more I got to know Mitch [Glazier, Chairman & CEO] and Michele [Ballantyne, COO], I could see how the work RIAA does truly impacts the entire music community. Their overall approach was really appealing to me because they not only believe that if the advocacy groups work together, we can advance legislation, but their passion reminds me of my own. There are advocacy groups representing every part of the industry, and we know that if we go to legislators together as one voice, we can accomplish so much more.
Now that you’re a few years into your work at RIAA, what are some of your biggest focus areas?
My focus now is to help protect and connect the music community. Whether it is through educating policymakers on how to support our industry or educating the industry on how we need to approach new technologies, it is vital that our united voices are heard. Creators deserve to be compensated fairly for their work and that can only happen when the industry grows in a healthy way.
Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Chris Parr, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Darius Rucker, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Strange Bird Media
What’s a day in the life look like for you?
From the start, it has been important to see where we have needs as an industry, then begin to foster relationships where they didn’t exist or needed a bit of nurturing. From different advocacy groups to artist management teams and other industry executives, it is vital that we all educate each other and collaborate on issues. One of my primary goals has always been to show legislators why creating and protecting music is so important. I spend a lot of time planning and hosting events that encouraging conversation between artists, industry leaders and members of Congress.
When the pandemic quickly halted in-person engagement, RIAA quickly pivoted to meet the needs of our industry and worked hard to protect all sectors with the COVID relief bills. I also worked one-on-one with creators to help them find and apply for any available resources that could help during that time.
We also moved to virtual events that focused on other issues such as a panel on mental health with JoJo and Miles Adcox, a conversation with Jimmie Allen about race in country music and began a program called Music Matters to highlight artists’ advocacy and charitable acts.
The last several months as we’ve been able to come back together, I served as executive producer for RIAA Honors: Pioneers of Hip-Hop in DC, booked a panel with Caitlyn Smith and her all-female team to both celebrate and discuss their experiences of women in the industry, am helping to launch the second iteration of the Music Business Accelerator program at TSU, among other initiatives.
In 2019 you produced the inaugural RIAA Honors. Tell me about that.
This event is a great example of us giving legislators a behind-the-scenes experience with artists, songwriters, and their teams to actively show them why protecting music and creators is so important. It’s fascinating to see the impact of these visits, whether it’s legislators talking to a songwriter and hearing about the creative process, speaking with an artist whose music they love, or just learning about how a record is made. These moments open the door for us to have more meaningful conversations and engage our community goals with policymakers’ priorities. The inaugural RIAA Honors recognized Miranda Lambert for her support of women throughout her career and Co-President of Black Music at Atlantic Records Lanre Gaba, who has fostered careers of Lizzo, Cardi B, Jack Harlow and many others. Lanre shared how she finds artists and why labels play such an important role artists’ careers. The event also acknowledged policymakers who were instrumental in helping us pass the Music Modernization Act.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, we were able to again host the celebration in 2022 with RIAA Honors: Pioneers of Hip-Hop. Grandmaster Flash, MC Lyte, UMG’s Jeff Harleston and Minority Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries were recipients of the accolade for their contributions in moving the genre forward. It was a really impactful event that shared the importance of music on culture and allowed so many legislators to get a real feel for why music matters.
Pictured (L-R): Brandi Carlile, Jackie Jones, Wynonna Judd. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
RIAA is probably most known by its lauded Gold & Platinum program. What goes on behind the scenes in presenting those?
It’s interesting because prior to working at the RIAA, I only knew about the Gold and Platinum plaques because an artist would post a photo, a label would host an event, or I’d see the multi-Platinum accolade used as an awards show introduction. As I started talking to Michele and Mitch, I learned RIAA not only celebrates these commercial successes but is an advocacy group that lobbies for music rights and content protection. The Gold & Platinum program not only helps us to celebrate artists’ creativity, consumption milestones, labels at work and fan engagement, it is also great way for RIAA to engage policymakers. There are a lot of people who do not know the breadth of what the RIAA does, which is part of why I’m here: to educate and help people understand the full scope of how we are working on behalf of the industry.
It sounds like RIAA does a lot more than people realize. What do you want people to know that RIAA does?
In addition to the Gold & Platinum presentations, which are important and a lot of fun, there is advocacy going on behind the scenes where we are lobbying for the music industry as a whole. First and foremost, we are fighting for the rights of our entire community. That also includes content protection, and the RIAA has people scouring the internet for stolen music 24/7 in addition to filing federal and state court cases. Our team balances state and federal law to make sure that we’re protecting rightsholders.
Our research team is dedicated to analyzing trends and consumption, which is shared in a mid-year report and a year-end report as an asset to the broader industry as well as education tool for policymakers. As with each advancement in technology, and currently AI, protecting human creators is the priority. We are working hard to ensure that our creators are protected and that we can use AI to enhance human art, not replace it.
When do you feel most fulfilled in your role?
When an artist, industry leader or songwriter really connect with a representative, it makes me feel like the work we are doing matters on a human level. Getting to witness when it clicks that music has a broader impact on society and connects on a personal level, it’s really special.
Music and politics are two worlds that are shockingly similar—comprised of well-known people with a substantial amount of influence—so when they get together and realize that they share interests or when a representative gets excited about a project that a creator is working on, that is really motivating. It makes me feel like we all really can find common ground and be a part of something together. That’s when I feel the most fulfilled.
Pictured (L-R): Jackie Jones, Missy Elliott, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Have grace under pressure.
Who have been some of your mentors?
I was so fortunate to get to work with Chet Flippo, who was the Editorial Director at CMT when I started. Being in the room as he talked about new artists and new music was fascinating. He always had a clear opinion and was always kind about whatever opinion he had. He taught me that being direct and honest could also be kind. He made all of us better.
I have also been really lucky to come up alongside some strong, talented and brilliant women. I have learned so much from each of them and love that we have built this community that supports and cheers each other on. Finding peers you admire is an important part of building your network and will provide you with lasting friendships and advisors throughout your career.
What is one of your most fun career memories?
When Dolly Parton released her children’s album, she invited members of the media to bring their kids to a “Storytime with Dolly.” Just like her mother, my daughter has grown up listening to Dolly her whole life. When she met Dolly she said, “I love you Aunt Dolly,” and Dolly said, “Well I love you too sweetie.” It will forever be one of my favorite memories.
Pictured: Jackie Jones & family with Dolly Parton. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
You will be honored as one of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row later this month. What has your experience been like as a woman in the industry?
Nashville has an incredible music community, and I think we are lucky to have many leaders working to create environments that are welcoming to all people. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it has made me proud over the last several years to come together with others who believe in having more voices represented and celebrating our diverse experiences.
As a woman who has a young daughter, I also think it is vital that we create an environment where there are adequate benefits and support systems that enable women to thrive both at work and home. If we truly want to make space for more women executives, we need to make it possible. I am fortunate to work at a company that enables me to be a mom and an important contributor to this industry. But not everyone is so lucky. Which is why I am working to change that for future generations through my work as a founder of Family Alliance in Music.
What advice would you give new execs looking to you as an example?
Treat people well and be honest. In a business that can sometimes be known for schmoozing, nurture real relationships with people who support and encourage you. Those are the people that will be standing next to you in the good and bad times, no matter what path you take.
Morgan Evans Shares Personal Journey In Five-Part ‘Over For You’ Docuseries
/by Lorie HollabaughMorgan Evans. Photo: Chady Awad
Morgan Evans is taking viewers through the ups and downs of his 2022 musical journey with a new five-part documentary series, out now.
Directed by Peter John, the docuseries goes backstage and back home where Evans grew up, traveling to Australia and New Zealand, including the CMC Rocks QLD Festival, where he debuted his latest single, “Over For You,” for 25,000 people.
The CMC Rocks performance received hundreds of thousands of views on social media, and in response, “Over For You – Live in Melbourne” was then recorded and released to streaming outlets. “It felt like channeling all that sort of awfulness into something positive,” says Evans.
He recently released the “Over For You” music video, which was also directed by John, and captured in tandem with the documentary.
My Music Row Story: RIAA’s Jackie Jones
/by LB CantrellJackie Jones
Jackie Jones is the Senior Vice President, Artist and Industry Relations for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and serves as the organization’s chief representative in Nashville.
Jones helps elevate creators across genres while also translating copyright reform, trade negotiations, and creative policymaking for the industry. She brings together artists, songwriters, managers, labels, venues, advocacy groups, tech companies and distribution services to work towards common goals through events, conversations and educational opportunities.
Jones will be honored as part of the current class of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row on March 23. For more details about the class and the event, click here.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up? How did you get into the music business?
I grew up in Memphis, so I have always been surrounded by so many kinds of music. I was also super interested in television growing up so it would make sense that my dream was to produce [the VH1 show] Behind The Music. In college I studied TV and film, but I kept coming back to the music side of entertainment. Once I transferred to MTSU, an internship at CMT turned into a full-time position and I worked as a producer and writer before I joined the talent team, where I produced and booked talent for both music programming and live events.
Pictured (L-R): Jason Derulo, Jackie Jones, Luke Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
What were your favorite things you got to do at CMT when you were a writer/producer?
I got to work with a team of producers to create original content for online programming, which was so special because no one at CMT had done that before. We were able to try a lot of new ideas while creating everything from scratch, including producing the first online awards show—hosted by Taylor Swift with Lady A as the house band. It was a blast!
What did you do once you joined the talent team?
I had never been a part of live productions and helping to create musical moments on TV until CMT Music Awards and Artists of the Year, but once I started working in that realm, there was no turning back. The rush and thrill of creating a live television show is still one of my favorite things in the world.
You joined RIAA in 2019. How did that happen?
I had never really thought about this advocacy side of entertainment, but the more I got to know Mitch [Glazier, Chairman & CEO] and Michele [Ballantyne, COO], I could see how the work RIAA does truly impacts the entire music community. Their overall approach was really appealing to me because they not only believe that if the advocacy groups work together, we can advance legislation, but their passion reminds me of my own. There are advocacy groups representing every part of the industry, and we know that if we go to legislators together as one voice, we can accomplish so much more.
Now that you’re a few years into your work at RIAA, what are some of your biggest focus areas?
My focus now is to help protect and connect the music community. Whether it is through educating policymakers on how to support our industry or educating the industry on how we need to approach new technologies, it is vital that our united voices are heard. Creators deserve to be compensated fairly for their work and that can only happen when the industry grows in a healthy way.
Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Chris Parr, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Darius Rucker, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Strange Bird Media
What’s a day in the life look like for you?
From the start, it has been important to see where we have needs as an industry, then begin to foster relationships where they didn’t exist or needed a bit of nurturing. From different advocacy groups to artist management teams and other industry executives, it is vital that we all educate each other and collaborate on issues. One of my primary goals has always been to show legislators why creating and protecting music is so important. I spend a lot of time planning and hosting events that encouraging conversation between artists, industry leaders and members of Congress.
When the pandemic quickly halted in-person engagement, RIAA quickly pivoted to meet the needs of our industry and worked hard to protect all sectors with the COVID relief bills. I also worked one-on-one with creators to help them find and apply for any available resources that could help during that time.
We also moved to virtual events that focused on other issues such as a panel on mental health with JoJo and Miles Adcox, a conversation with Jimmie Allen about race in country music and began a program called Music Matters to highlight artists’ advocacy and charitable acts.
The last several months as we’ve been able to come back together, I served as executive producer for RIAA Honors: Pioneers of Hip-Hop in DC, booked a panel with Caitlyn Smith and her all-female team to both celebrate and discuss their experiences of women in the industry, am helping to launch the second iteration of the Music Business Accelerator program at TSU, among other initiatives.
In 2019 you produced the inaugural RIAA Honors. Tell me about that.
This event is a great example of us giving legislators a behind-the-scenes experience with artists, songwriters, and their teams to actively show them why protecting music and creators is so important. It’s fascinating to see the impact of these visits, whether it’s legislators talking to a songwriter and hearing about the creative process, speaking with an artist whose music they love, or just learning about how a record is made. These moments open the door for us to have more meaningful conversations and engage our community goals with policymakers’ priorities. The inaugural RIAA Honors recognized Miranda Lambert for her support of women throughout her career and Co-President of Black Music at Atlantic Records Lanre Gaba, who has fostered careers of Lizzo, Cardi B, Jack Harlow and many others. Lanre shared how she finds artists and why labels play such an important role artists’ careers. The event also acknowledged policymakers who were instrumental in helping us pass the Music Modernization Act.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, we were able to again host the celebration in 2022 with RIAA Honors: Pioneers of Hip-Hop. Grandmaster Flash, MC Lyte, UMG’s Jeff Harleston and Minority Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries were recipients of the accolade for their contributions in moving the genre forward. It was a really impactful event that shared the importance of music on culture and allowed so many legislators to get a real feel for why music matters.
Pictured (L-R): Brandi Carlile, Jackie Jones, Wynonna Judd. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
RIAA is probably most known by its lauded Gold & Platinum program. What goes on behind the scenes in presenting those?
It’s interesting because prior to working at the RIAA, I only knew about the Gold and Platinum plaques because an artist would post a photo, a label would host an event, or I’d see the multi-Platinum accolade used as an awards show introduction. As I started talking to Michele and Mitch, I learned RIAA not only celebrates these commercial successes but is an advocacy group that lobbies for music rights and content protection. The Gold & Platinum program not only helps us to celebrate artists’ creativity, consumption milestones, labels at work and fan engagement, it is also great way for RIAA to engage policymakers. There are a lot of people who do not know the breadth of what the RIAA does, which is part of why I’m here: to educate and help people understand the full scope of how we are working on behalf of the industry.
It sounds like RIAA does a lot more than people realize. What do you want people to know that RIAA does?
In addition to the Gold & Platinum presentations, which are important and a lot of fun, there is advocacy going on behind the scenes where we are lobbying for the music industry as a whole. First and foremost, we are fighting for the rights of our entire community. That also includes content protection, and the RIAA has people scouring the internet for stolen music 24/7 in addition to filing federal and state court cases. Our team balances state and federal law to make sure that we’re protecting rightsholders.
Our research team is dedicated to analyzing trends and consumption, which is shared in a mid-year report and a year-end report as an asset to the broader industry as well as education tool for policymakers. As with each advancement in technology, and currently AI, protecting human creators is the priority. We are working hard to ensure that our creators are protected and that we can use AI to enhance human art, not replace it.
When do you feel most fulfilled in your role?
When an artist, industry leader or songwriter really connect with a representative, it makes me feel like the work we are doing matters on a human level. Getting to witness when it clicks that music has a broader impact on society and connects on a personal level, it’s really special.
Music and politics are two worlds that are shockingly similar—comprised of well-known people with a substantial amount of influence—so when they get together and realize that they share interests or when a representative gets excited about a project that a creator is working on, that is really motivating. It makes me feel like we all really can find common ground and be a part of something together. That’s when I feel the most fulfilled.
Pictured (L-R): Jackie Jones, Missy Elliott, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Have grace under pressure.
Who have been some of your mentors?
I was so fortunate to get to work with Chet Flippo, who was the Editorial Director at CMT when I started. Being in the room as he talked about new artists and new music was fascinating. He always had a clear opinion and was always kind about whatever opinion he had. He taught me that being direct and honest could also be kind. He made all of us better.
I have also been really lucky to come up alongside some strong, talented and brilliant women. I have learned so much from each of them and love that we have built this community that supports and cheers each other on. Finding peers you admire is an important part of building your network and will provide you with lasting friendships and advisors throughout your career.
What is one of your most fun career memories?
When Dolly Parton released her children’s album, she invited members of the media to bring their kids to a “Storytime with Dolly.” Just like her mother, my daughter has grown up listening to Dolly her whole life. When she met Dolly she said, “I love you Aunt Dolly,” and Dolly said, “Well I love you too sweetie.” It will forever be one of my favorite memories.
Pictured: Jackie Jones & family with Dolly Parton. Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Jones
You will be honored as one of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row later this month. What has your experience been like as a woman in the industry?
Nashville has an incredible music community, and I think we are lucky to have many leaders working to create environments that are welcoming to all people. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it has made me proud over the last several years to come together with others who believe in having more voices represented and celebrating our diverse experiences.
As a woman who has a young daughter, I also think it is vital that we create an environment where there are adequate benefits and support systems that enable women to thrive both at work and home. If we truly want to make space for more women executives, we need to make it possible. I am fortunate to work at a company that enables me to be a mom and an important contributor to this industry. But not everyone is so lucky. Which is why I am working to change that for future generations through my work as a founder of Family Alliance in Music.
What advice would you give new execs looking to you as an example?
Treat people well and be honest. In a business that can sometimes be known for schmoozing, nurture real relationships with people who support and encourage you. Those are the people that will be standing next to you in the good and bad times, no matter what path you take.
Industry Ink: Hailey Whitters, BMI, Masquerade Gala of Music City, Mixtape Music
/by Caela GriffinHailey Whitters ‘Everything She Ain’t’ Certified Gold
Pictured (L-R): Seth England (CEO / Partner, Big Loud), Nicolle Galyon (Label Head / Songwriter, Songs & Daughters), Hailey Whitters, Jake Gear (Producer / EVP, Hang Your Hat Music), Matt Graham (Managing Partner + Head of Music, Range Media Partners), Chris Kappy (Founder + CNO, Make Wake Artists)
Hailey Whitters‘ hit song “Everything She Ain’t” has attained RIAA Gold certification. To celebrate the accomplishment, her team at Big Loud presented Whitters with the certification plaque in Nashville.
“Everything She Ain’t” appears on Whitters’ 2022 album Raised. It is climbing at country radio and recently passed 100 million global streams.
BMI At The Blue Room Kicks Off 2023
Pictured: Members of Carol, The Blonde Bones, Olivia Barton, and BMI’s Nina Carter and Tyler Burns backstage at the Blue Room. Photo Credit: Angelina Castillo for BMI.
“BMI At The Blue Room” held its first showcase on Feb. 22 with performances by BMI singer-songwriters Olivia Barton, Carol, and Blonde Bones.
In partnership with The Blue Room at Third Man Records, this quarterly concert features talents from the Nashville community across a variety of genres. OneRPM is the official sponsor of this series. Next up, “BMI At The Blue Room” returns for another showcase on May 24. The show will be free and open to all ages.
Fifth Masquerade Gala of Music City Raises $55,000
5th Annual Masquerade Gala of Music City organizers and talent
Masquerade Gala of Music City marked its fifth year by drawing over 800 attendees to Marathon Music Works last week. The night, filled with dining and entertainment, raised over $55,000 for The Aloe Family organization.
Performers for the evening included Tenille Arts, Levi Hummon, Leah Turner, Kat & Alex, and more. Guests also donned festive masks and enjoyed the event’s pop-up bars, local art displays and an extensive auction.
“We are blown away with the talent and generosity of Nashville coming together for such a memorable night,” says Natalie Firkser, The Aloe Family founder and Masquerade Gala of Music City organizer. “This will create a huge and positive impact on our community with The Aloe Family!”
Mixtape Music Welcomes Hannah Meacham
Hannah Meacham
Mixtape Music Publishing announces the addition of Hannah Meacham as Assistant Catalog Manager.
Meacham is a graduate from Middle Tennessee State University’s Recording Industry Program. Her job will include strengthening Mixtape’s footprint as a source for labels looking for new songs. Mixtape’s Bobby “McSongs” has a song on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and two more releases coming this month.
Warner Music Nashville Promotes Bri Small, Claire Russo
/by Caela GriffinBri Small, Claire Russo
Warner Music Nashville announces the promotion of Brianna (Bri) Small from Manager of Interactive Marketing to the new Director of Digital Content Strategy & Partnerships role. Coordinator of Interactive Marketing, Claire Russo, will rise to fill the vacancy.
“I am thrilled for Bri and for the way this role will serve to further enhance our label’s marketing capabilities and our artists’ reach,” says Torie Mason, SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics. “Bri is an absolute star, and I can’t wait to watch her excel in this new, exciting, future-forward position.”
The newly created Director of Digital Content Strategy & Partnerships role will enhance end-to-end marketing campaigns and span the interactive, creative, publicity and business development departments.
Small graduated from St. Edward’s University with a Digital Media Management degree before starting her career at NBC Entertainment in Los Angeles. In addition to her accomplishments at WMN with artists including Ingrid Andress, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Bailey Zimmerman, she worked alongside the corporate DEI team to launch the Warner Music HBCU Immersion Program.
Russo holds a Entertainment Industry Studies and Music Business degree from Belmont University. She held several digital marketing internships leading her to a job at Crowd Surf after graduation. She joined Warner Music Nashville in February 2022.
“Claire is a champion for our artists. Her experience, passion and creativity make her the perfect fit to step into this role,” adds Mason.
Nate Smith Signs With WME
/by Lorie HollabaughNate Smith. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Nate Smith has signed with WME for global representation in all areas. The breakout country star will be represented by the agency’s Joey Lee, Sloane Cavitt Logue and Braeden Rountree.
Smith’s Platinum, multi-week No. 1 “Whiskey On You” has amassed over 240 million total global on-demand streams to date. He recently made his late-night television debut performing the chart-topping hit on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and has appeared on multiple 2023 Artist to Watch lists including Amazon’s Breakthrough Artists to Watch, MusicRow’s Next Big Thing and CMT’s Listen Up, among others.
This summer, Smith will be joining Thomas Rhett on his “Home Team Tour.” He is also set to perform at several major country festivals including Stagecoach, Country Thunder Arizona and Country Jam Colorado. His debut, self-titled album will be released on April 28.
Neon Union Inks Pub Deal With Warner Chappell Music & JAB Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Christina Wiltshire, Spencer Nohe, Sara Lattimer and Ben Vaughn, Neon Union’s Leo Brooks, Warner Chappell’s Phil May, Neon Union’s Andrew Milsaps, JAB’s Jimmie Allen, Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill and Alex Cheatam, JAB’s Aaron Benward and Warner Chappell’s Kayce Russell.
Neon Union‘s Leo Brooks and Andrew Millsaps have signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and JAB Entertainment.
Neon Union is managed by Jimmie Allen and business partner Aaron Benward as JAB Entertainment’s inaugural act. Brooks grew up in Miami and has collaborated with artists such as Pitbull, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Cee Lo Green and John Legend. Millsaps grew up in North Carolina and has been writing songs since the age of 13. When Allen heard the two perform separately, he was convinced they would make the perfect duo and introduced the two.
Together as Neon Union, Brooks and Millsaps are bringing a new sound to country with 808 kick drums married to a traditional lyric and anthemic pop melodies. Their debut single, “Bout Damn Time,” on Red Street Records, is out at country radio now. More new more music is slated to come from the pair later this year.
On The Cover: MusicRow’s 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue Features Tyler Hubbard
/by MusicRow StaffMusicRow Magazine has released its 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue, with EMI Records/Universal Music Group Nashville’s Tyler Hubbard gracing its cover.
Hubbard’s face and name are familiar—and his voice is a staple on country radio. With 20 No. 1 singles including his debut solo single, countless awards and sold-out tours, Hubbard has already had a remarkable career as a performer and songwriter as one half of multi-Platinum duo Florida Georgia Line. This January, Hubbard released his debut solo album, Tyler Hubbard.
The Georgia-native and prolific songwriter has over 60 cuts from a diverse set of stars such as Jason Aldean and Kane Brown, among others. For the new 18-track album on EMI Nashville, Hubbard wrote on every song and teamed up with some of Nashville’s most prominent hitmakers. Co-produced with Jordan Schmidt, Hubbard’s album showcases his unique talents as well as continues to establish him as a powerhouse in country music. Hubbard’s debut solo single, “5 Foot 9,” hit No. 1 at radio in just six months, was recently certified Platinum by the RIAA, and has 315 million global streams to date.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Hubbard is dedicated to healthy living and is passionate about travel and charity, supporting various Nashville charities, as well as global conservation organizations.
Inside the Country Radio & Streaming Issue, readers will find profiles of the 2023 CountryBreakout Award winners, which were also revealed today. Now in its 21st year, the CountryBreakout Awards honors the artists who earned the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2022. The 2023 winners include Male Artist of the Year Morgan Wallen (Big Loud/Mercury/Republic), Female Artist of the Year Miranda Lambert (Vanner Records/RCA Nashville), Group/Duo of the Year Old Dominion (Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville), Breakout Artist of the Year Jackson Dean (Big Machine Records) and Independent Artist of the Year Cody Jinks (Late August Records). Warner Music Nashville was honored with Label of the Year for the first time, while Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for the fourth time. This year’s Reporter of the Year is WVNW’s Erik Lane.
Additionally, the Country Radio & Streaming Issue includes a look inside BBR Music Group’s successes and strategies with President of BMG Nashville, Jon Loba, and Executive Vice President Recorded Music – Nashville, JoJamie Hahr. Warner Music Nashville’s SVP of Radio, Kristen Williams, and SVP of Streaming, Tim Foisset, talk with MusicRow about the success of new chart-breaker Bailey Zimmerman, while Sony Music Nashville’s Exec. VP, Promotion & Artist Development, Steve Hodges, discusses the rise of Megan Moroney in this issue. Also featured is a compelling profile on Pandora’s Sr. Director of Country Programming, Johnny Chiang, who began his tenure with the company in July.
This issue also includes a look at ONErpm’s expansion to Nashville in a conversation with Tim Wipperman, who serves as the Managing Director of ONErpm’s Nashville Office. Elsewhere, MusicRow highlights the community growth aspects of secondary market radio with KAIR’s Program Director Neil Wieland. In a special feature, MusicRow Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson, shares his adventurous journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the tallest mountains in the world.
Single copies of MusicRow’s 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $20, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
ACM’s LEVel Up Presents Marketing & Business Management Workshop
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program has announced the third workshop in their series for undergraduate students interested in careers in the music industry.
The workshop focusing on marketing and business management will take place on March 3 from 3-5 p.m., and will include panelists from AristoPR, FBMM and ACM. Panelists will discuss the marketing efforts that help propel artists and organizations in the music industry, as well as the business aspects of helping artists achieve their career and financial goals.
Panelists include Duane Clark, Vice President, FBMM; Rory Levine, Vice President, Marketing, Digital Strategy & Engagement, ACM; and Christy Walker-Watkins, President, AristoPR; Co-Owner, The AristoMedia Group; Co-Founder, Nashville Meets London.
The workshop will be moderated by Daniel Killian, Manager, FBMM; and Kortney Toney, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Nashville Music Equality.
All participants must register to attend in-person or virtually, with sessions being filled first-come, first-served. The location for the workshop will be sent to those selected to attend in-person upon confirmed registration. Sign-ups for the workshop on Friday, March 3 can be found here. Future installments will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
CRS Happy Hour Opening Reception To Feature CMT’s Next Women Of Country
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Happy Hour CMT Next Women of Country Takeover showcase will highlight the four up-and-coming female artists representing CMT’s Next Women of Country, and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CMT Next Women of Country program, a leading industry platform for rising female artists to display their talent. Sponsors of the takeover include BMI, CMT and Visionary Media Group.
“CRS is thrilled to partner with CMT, BMI and Visionary Media Group to celebrate CMT’s decade of support, promotion and development of female talent in our genre,” says CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis. “The commitment of Leslie Fram and her team at CMT to provide a platform for the Next Women of Country and all nine classes is impressive, important and ongoing. CRS is honored to be part of this process in 2023.”
CRS 2023 will take place March 13 -15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
Steven Curtis Chapman Makes History With 50th No. 1 ‘Don’t Lose Heart’
/by Lorie HollabaughChapman is the first artist to achieve the feat in the Christian industry, and shares the historic achievement with just a few select artists including Madonna, George Strait and Conway Twitty. His single “His Eyes” from 1988’s Real Life Conversations album first put Chapman on the course to his plethora of No. 1s, a list that also includes “I Will Be Here,” “The Great Adventure,” “Dive,” “Live Out Loud” and “For The Sake Of The Call.”
“We are so honored and excited to be a part of Steven’s 50th No. 1 song with ‘Don’t Lose Heart,'” says Holly Zabka, President, Provident Entertainment/Sony Music. “This unprecedented and monumental achievement for Steven is a testament to the incredible artist and songwriter he is and can only be outshined by the countless lives that have been changed by his music.”
“I’m completely blown away by the support for this song and for my music, even after so many years,” Chapman exclaims. “To ever have a No. 1 song at radio as an artist/songwriter is a dream come true, and to have fifty is simply unbelievable! This only happens because of an amazing team and a community of friends around me who have believed in the unbelievable. I’m grateful and humbled beyond words.”
Chapman’s single “Don’t Lose Heart” was released in late 2022 and was the most-added song at radio for three straight weeks. As the first single from his most recent album, Still, Chapman was inspired to write the song through the journey of grief and loss he and his family have traveled. He released a new version of the tune earlier this month featuring Mitchell Tenpenny.
Chapman is the most-awarded artist in Christian music history. With 59 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five Grammys and an American Music Award, he has sold more than 11 million albums with 10 RIAA-Certified Gold or Platinum albums to his credit.
Fans will get the chance to hear many of his 50 chart-toppers when he hits the road on his new “Still Tour” this Friday, March 3. The new tour will visit 24 markets throughout the spring.